Lead Designer, Accessories Product Design, Socks

Nike • Beaverton, OR

7d

About The Position

We are looking for a Lead Designer for Socks and Engineered Knits within Accessories to drive innovative, industry-leading product design. This role requires a strong balance of creative vision and technical expertise, with deep knowledge of engineered knits and the ability to solve problems from concept through production. You can translate complex ideas into clear design direction, communicate effectively across teams, and bring a strong passion for sport, culture, and design. As a Lead Designer for Socks within Accessories Design, you will create performance-driven products that meet the needs of athletes across sport and lifestyle. You will apply your expertise in knitting techniques, yarns, and material performance to develop innovative solutions rooted in athlete insights. This is a hands-on role that demands attention to detail and a commitment to delivering best-in-class fit, comfort, durability, and functionality. You will partner closely with the Sr. Manager of Sock Product Design and Accessories Design Directors to shape the future of Performance and Lifestyle Sock design. Working across design, development, product management, costing, and engineering, you will lead concepts from brief to market while ensuring design intent, product feasibility and timelines remain aligned. You will regularly present design concepts to internal and external partners and are expected to foster collaboration, contribute to team growth, and mentor others.

Requirements

• 5-7 years' experience designing and developing innovative products
• Bachelor's Degree in Product Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
• Previous engineered knit or sock experience required
• Must be advanced in Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, and Keynote
• Active and proficient participant in collaboration, the creative process and cross-functional communication
• Significant engagement with external partners
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
• Advanced design skills such as: drawing/sketching, ideation, use of texture, spacing and scale, visual presentation development and layout
• Proven experience designing socks or knit-based products with a focus on performance.
• Deep knowledge of knitting techniques, structures, and yarns (performance fibers, blends, cushioning).

Nice To Haves

• 3D design program experience a plus

Responsibilities

• Drive innovative, industry-leading product design for Socks and Engineered Knits.
• Translate complex ideas into clear design direction.
• Communicate effectively across teams.
• Create performance-driven products that meet the needs of athletes across sport and lifestyle.
• Apply expertise in knitting techniques, yarns, and material performance to develop innovative solutions rooted in athlete insights.
• Deliver best-in-class fit, comfort, durability, and functionality.
• Lead concepts from brief to market while ensuring design intent, product feasibility and timelines remain aligned.
• Present design concepts to internal and external partners.
• Foster collaboration, contribute to team growth, and mentor others.
• Manage multiple projects at various stages of the design from concept to production.
• Generate a broad range of concepts and solutions for each project.

Benefits

• Accommodations to complete the interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior